Alabama assistant coach Kevin Steele expected to leave for Clemson

Barring a last-minute change of heart, Alabama defensive head coach Kevin Steele will be announced as the new defensive coordinator at Clemson as early as this weekend, multiple sources tell the Press-Register.

Clemson coach Dabo Swinney told attending media after today's Gator Bowl that he would probably have an announcement upon returning from the bowl site. Swinney may wait until after Friday night's Sugar Bowl between Alabama and Utah for final confirmation.

There is mutual interest between Steele and Clemson, which is prepared to offer a salary competitive with the $360,000 salary Steele made this season with the Crimson Tide, sources said.

Steele became the top candidate when friend and former Tennessee coordinator John Chavis opted for LSU instead of Clemson.

With the threat of a coaching departure already looming, Crimson Tide head coach Nick Saban today addressed potential changes on his coaching staff.

"Continuity is great," Saban said. "But also when you do have change, there are some tremendous benefits to that in terms of new experience, new ideas, new enthusiasm."

Without discussing the Steele situation directly, Saban did concede, "It's probably inevitable that there will be some change."